Improvement in dredging-buckets



UNITED STATES PATENT (DEEIGEn JOHLT B. VOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN DREDGING-BUCKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,206, dated June 16, 1874; application led May 26, 1874.

CASE A.

To all whom lit may concern:

Be it known that I, Jol-IN B. Woon, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Dredging-Bucket 5 and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this speciiication.

This invention is in the nature of an improvement in dredging-buckets; and the invention consists in a dredging-bucket constructed with two pulley-wheels revolving on iixed arbors, the bucket being connected directly to the pulley-wheels by links without the intervention of cranks, substantially in the manner hereinafter described. The invention applies more particularly to that class of dredging-lmckets known as clam-shell" buckets, or buckets formed of two sectors.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure lisa side elevation of my improved dredging-bucket, and Fig. 2 a plan or top view of same. A

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures.

A A' represent sectors of a dredging-bucket.

These sectors are hinged in any suitable way to the frame-work B B'. This frame-work may be formed of any suitable metal, and of any size and shape adapted to the purpose. Secured to and extending from one frame, B, to the other, B', immediately above the sectors A A', are two shafts or arbors, 'C C'. These shafts are firmly secured to the frames, and upon them are iitted two pulley-wheels, D D', in such ina-nner as to permit them to turn freely on such shafts or arbors. To said pulleywheels are fixed, by pivotal bolts, links E E', reaching from near the periphery of said pulley-wheels to the upper side of the sectors A A', and in this way connecting the sectors to the pulley-wheels. To each of the pulleywheels D are secured chains d, in such manner that the end of one chain will be secured to one pulley-wheel, and the other end of the same chain secured to the other pulley-wheel, the chains uniting` in draw-chains c c'. Passing between the wheels D and D', and firmly secured to the shafts C O', is a plate, F, which not only acts as a brace for the shafts or arbors, but also answers for a stop-plate.

My bucket being constructed substantially as above described, it is operated as follows: The bucket being suspended on the end of aboom, as is customary, the draw-chain c is wound in opening the sectors. This opening is accomplished by the chains d acting on the pulleys D, causing them to revolve on the shafts or arbors C C', and, as the wheels revolve, the links E E' are drawn upward, and with them the sectors A A', to which they are attached. The bucket being opened, it is lowered to the mud that is to be excavated. The chain c is then slackened, and the chain o' drawn in, which causes the pulley-wheelsDD' to revolve in a reverse direction, causing the sectors, through the action of the links E E', to close or come together at the bottom, inclosing the mud or other substance excavated. This opening and closing of the sectors is effected, as will be seen from the foregoing description, by the direct action of the pulleywheels on the sectors through the links, and without the intervention of cranks or togglejoints, so that there is no lost motion, and the bucket is opened and closed with fa-r more than ordinary promptness. This bucket can, therefore, be worked at not only a saving of time, but also at a savingl of power. The connections being direct, there is but little lost `motion 5 and the moving parts being but few, there is but little friction to overcome, and but little liability' of derangement from wearing away of joints, Snc., which latter is a very important consideration, since the bucket is always used in connection with water and grit, which, in buckets of ordinary construction, speedily cut out and injure the moving parts.

As a stop to prevent the sectors of the bucket passing' each other when shutting, pi-ns c, or other similar devices, may be attached to the sides of the pulley-wheels D, so that they will come in contact with thc crossplate F and check the opening of the bucket. To the upper part of the fra-mes B B' are secured the ordinary guide-poles G. These frames are each made of a single piece of metal, and their lowei1 ends' shaped somewhat like at spear. This form offers good support for the ends of the shafts, and en cbles the straps of the hinges to be secured to the frame without the nid of blocks or other pieces of metal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is;-

l. A dredgin g-bucket constructed with each sector connected by links directly to two pulley-wheels, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In :L dredging-bucket, two fixed shafts, upon which are fitted two pulley-wheels, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In @dredging-bucket, two fixed shafts, iu combination with 2t ixed cross or stop plate, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In :t dredging-bucket, two or more pulleywlieels, in combination with two or more bifurcated chains, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a dredging-bucket, the supporting frame-work formed of pieces of metal with spear-shaped ends, in combination with straphinges secured directly thereto without the interposition of blocks.

JOHN B. WOOD.

Vitnesses H. L. WATTENBERG, M. LOVELL. 

